Letter to editor: We can't wait for gun control

Friday

Oct 6, 2017 at 8:35 PM

We can't wait for gun control

Have they no shame? U.S. Rep. Jody Arrington and his fellow Republicans mouth the identical GOP talking points, orchestrated and purchased by gun lobbyists. We have heard it before, after every mass shooting: "What we can't do is react in such a way that we make it harder for law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families." (Oct. 4)

How do people protect themselves and their families from a murdererous sniper attack when the gunman is shooting from his 32nd floor hotel room 400 yards away? Being able to amass a legal arsenal of semi-automatic rifles and high capacity magazines made it possible for one man to attack his fellow citizens attending an outdoor concert, killing 58 and injuring 500 plus in a span of 10 minutes. He even had 12 bump stocks which effectively made his rifles automatic weapons.

There are things Congress and the president can do, but they have neither the will nor courage to act, unlike those brave people in Las Vegas who saved others while dodging a barrage of bullets. Lobbyists hold Congress at "gunpoint," and they meekly surrender.

What laws might they pass to lessen the carnage? Reinstate the "assault" weapons ban; outlaw high capacity magazines and bump stock devices; require background checks and registration for every firearm sale. We register cars and transfer titles legally; why not guns? We could even buy back and destroy unwanted guns. These measures won't prevent every massacre, but they might save the life of your son or daughter.

When will the body count become high enough for outraged Americans to demand action? Thirty-three dead and 17 wounded at Virginia Tech? Twenty-six teachers and first graders dead at Sandy Hook? Forty-nine dead and 58 wounded at Orlando? Fifty-eight dead and more than 500 wounded at Las Vegas?

What body count number is high enough for Congress to consider sensible gun legislation? "Don't rush to judgment," admonishes Arrington. Instead, America will simply grieve, move on and await the next mass shooting. Shamefully, we won't wait long.

Kevlar vests and helmets for everyone?

GRACE ROGERS/Lubbock

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